Schwartz Pond Dam Dam
Schwartz Pond Dam
Schwartz Pond Dam, located in Suffield, Connecticut, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1920, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 128 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Stony Brook and has a drainage area of 41 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 3300 cubic feet per second.
Despite its recreational focus, Schwartz Pond Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in June 2010, and there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. Given its age and significant hazard potential, the dam may benefit from further risk assessment and management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Schwartz Pond Dam can appreciate its historical significance and recreational value, while also recognizing the need for continued monitoring and potential upgrades to mitigate risks associated with its significant hazard potential. As a key feature on Stony Brook in Hartford County, Connecticut, this earth dam serves as a reminder of the intersection between human infrastructure and natural water systems, underscoring the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Schwartz Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 4,740 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 11 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Westfield River Near Westfield | 107 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schwartz Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Schwartz Pond Dam
Where does the data for Schwartz Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.